Device for gaging strip material and indicating excessive variations in width and camber thereof



June 25, 1957 G. J. LAMOUREUXIY 2,796,965 DEVICE FOR GAGING STRIP MATERIAL AND INDICATING EXCESSIVE VARIATIONS IN WIDTH AND CAMBER THEREOF Filed March 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'l" I al f J2 l /8 l M/ws/vroR I cu. LAMOUREUX ATTORNEY e 25, 1957 G. J. LAMOUREUX 2,796,965

DEVICE FOR GAGINGSTRIP MATERIAL AND INDICATING EXCESSIVE VARIATIONS IN WIDTH AND CAMBER THEREOF Filed March 1, 1954 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L r as 33 #9 3a 33 awn/ran E I 39 auzAMouea/x a; "m M Arm IRA/5y United rates Patent M DEVICE FOR GAGING STRlP MATERIAL AND IN- DICATING EXCESSIVE VARIATIONS IN WIDTH AND CAMBER THEREOF Gilbert J. Lamoureux, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Western Electric (Iompany, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,373

9 Claims. (Cl. 192-127) This invention relates to a device for indicating excessive variations in width and camber of strip material and more particularly to a device for gaging the width and camber of a strip as it is fed into a punch press and for actuating a control means for operating a signal and stopping the press in response to excessive variations in width and camber of the strip.

Flat stock strip invariably is not absolutely straight and of uniform width but has a slight camber or lateral curvature and has variations in width. A strip having excessive variations in camber and width is objectionable when used in some machines such as punch presses for fabricating parts therefrom in that excesses in camber and width greater than a predetermined maximum will cause the strip to wedge in the dies of the press, and less than a predetermined minimum will also cause damage to the dies.

An object of the invention is to provide a device for gaging the width of a strip and actuating a control circuit in response to excessive variations below a predetermined minimum or above a predetermined maximum.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for gaging the variations in the width and camber of a strip and for actuating a signal in response to variations beyond a predetermined minimum or maximum width and camber of the strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for gaging the width and camber of a strip being fed into a machine and for actuating a control means for stopping the machine in response to excessive variations in the strip beyond a predetermined minimum or maximum of the combined width and camber of the strip.

A device illustrating certain features of the invention may include a pair of gaging members engageable with opposite edges of a strip of material being advanced into an apparatus for fabricating parts therefrom. One of the gaging members is fixedly mounted on a floating support and the other gaging member is movably supported thereon and stressed for movement toward the other gaging member for yieldably maintaining the gaging members in engagement with the strip. The floating support is mounted on a stationary frame for movement laterally of the strip to accommodate transverse weaving movement of the strip and supply thereof. A pair of actuating members adjustably mounted on the movable gaging member actuates a pair of switches on the floating support in response to movement of the movable gaging member to predetermined positions by portions of the strip greater than a predetermined maximum width and camber or less than a minimum width and camber for closing control circuits to operate visual and audible signals, whereby the operator may stop the machine and remove the undesirable portions of the strip. The device may include means for disconnecting the drive to the apparatus to stop it when the device is actuated by portions of the strip having excessive Variations beyond predetermined maximum or minimum widths and cambers.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will 2,796,965 Patented June 25, 1957 become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which 7 Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a punch press with the gaging device associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a punch press for fabricating .piece parts from strip material showing the gaging device mounted on a stock cradle for the strip material positioned in spaced relation to the punch press;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the gaging device;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the device;

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 55 and 66, respectively, of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the device taken on the line 77 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the electrical system of the device. I

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 1 and 2), there is shown a flat strip 10 of materialadapted to be fed into a punch press 12 which has cooperating punch and dies 14' for fabricating parts from the strip. The punch and dies are actuated relative to each by a drive including a fly wheel 16 and a clutch 18 for disconnecting it. Feed rolls 17, actuated in timed relation to the press, advance the strip step by step into the press. As shown in Fig. 2 the strip 10 is unwound from a coil 20 of strip stock supported in a stock cradle 21 which is mounted in spaced relation to the punch press. The stock 10 is advanced by a pair of driven feed rolls 22 through a straightener 23 and forms a loop intermediate the stock cradle and the punch press on which rides a control arm 24 for controlling the feed of the stock from the stock cradle to maintain a predetermined slack in the strip between the stock cradle and the punch press.

A gaging device 30 for gaging the variations in the width and camber of the strip 10 may be mounted adjacent the punch press 12 as shown in Fig. 1 or may be mounted on the stock cradle 21 in spaced relation to the punch press as shown in Fig. 2. The device 30 comprises a stationary frame or base plate 31 suitably secured to the press 12 or the stock cradle 21 and on the ends of the base plate are mounted a pair of apertured blocks 32 in the apertures of which are mounted a pair of rods 33 for limited axial movement. The rods 33 and the base plate 31 of the gaging device are disposed beneath and transversely of the strip 10 and the rods 33 have pins 34 therein at opposite ends engageable with the blocks 32 for limiting the extent of movement of the rods relative to the base plate 31. The rods 33 form a floating support for carrying a pair of gaging members 36 and 37 which are engageable with opposite edges of the strip. 10.

The gaging member 36 is in the form of a rectangular block which is clamped to the rods 33 by a plate 38 and a screw 39. The gaging member 37 is in the form of a plate 42 secured to a slide member or block 43 which is mounted for sliding movement on a guide member 44. The guide member 44 is fixed to or formed on a bracket 45, which in turn is adjustably secured to the rods 33 by a clamping plate 46 and a clamping screw 47. Portions of the slide 43 and the guide 44 are provided with .V- shaped grooves in which are mounted rows of balls 49 which serve to support the gaging member 37 for rectilinear movement on the bracket 45 toward and away from the gaging member 36. A spring 50 disposed in a slot in the slide member 43 has one end engaging a pin 51 fixed to the guide member 44 and the other end engaging the plate 42 of the gaging member 37 for urging the gaging members 36 and 37 towards each other into engagement with opposite edges of the strip 10;

The faces of the gaging members 36 and 37 which engage the edges of the stripl't) are relatively wide so as to engage a substantial portion of the edges of the strip, whereby the gaging members serve torneasure the camber as :well'as :the'width of the strip passing therebetween. As shown herein the faces of the gaging membersjlidand 37 are not continuous but are provided w'iththree' hardened bar inserts'53 extending vertically andpositioned at the ends and at the center of each face as "shownlin Figs. 3 and 6. Thus,.as the striplt) advances between the gaging members the concave edge of the strip will engage the two end inserts of one; gaging member and the opposite convex edge ofthe stripwill engage the middleinsert of the other gaging member. If it. is desired to gageonly the width .of the strip '10, gaging members having asingle insert maybe used.

From the description thus far, it will be seen thatthe gaging .members136 and "37 are carried on afioating support-and are yieldably urged into engagement with opposite edges of the strip 10 .and that the floating support is movable transversely of the strip 10 to permit lateral shifting of the coil .20 and the strip 10 during the feeding of the strip. Any variation in the width of the strip .10

will cause the gaging member 37 to move relative to the gaging member 36 and the bracket 45.

Means cooperabie with the gaging member 37 are provided for either signaling the operator or stopp'ingthe press 12, -or both, when a portion of the strip passing throughthe gaging device is greater in width and camber than a predetermined maximum or when it is less in width and camber than a predetermined minimum.

The control and indicating means includes a pair of microswitches 55 and '56 mounted on the bracket for movement therewith as shown in Fig. 4. A pair of threaded actuating or trip elements '57 and 58 are adjustably mounted in threaded apertures in the movable gage member '37 for actuating the switches 55 and 56 in response to movement of the gage 37 to predetermined,positions. A template. having portions corresponding to the desired minimum and maximum widths and cambers of the strip is placed in one position between the gage elements 36 and 37 and the trip element 57 is adjusted toactuate the switch 55 when the gage member 37 is moved vto a predetermined position by a portion of the stripvgreater in width and camber than the predetermined maximumhand the template is moved to another position and the trip elementSS is set to actuate theswitch56 when the ,gage member '37 is moved to another predetermined-position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber less than a predetermined minimum.

When the portions of the strip 10 Withinthe specified acceptable limits are passing between the gaging members 36 and 37 the switch 55 is so positioned .as to complete a circuit from a .powerline 60 through a red light-6210 indicate that the strip isnot greater thana predetermined maximum width and camben'and the switch 56 .is in .a position completing a circuit through a, green light .6310 indicate that the strip is not belowthe predetermined minimum width-and camber. Each ofthe switches, 55 and 56 are adapted to be moved to a secondposition indicated in dotted lines in Fig.8 when actuated ,by .-.tl1e trip elements '57 and 58 to complete acircuit throughathorn or other signal device 64 for signaling the .operatorthat a portion of the strip in excess of thepredeterminedflirnits is passing through the gaging. device 30, and to complete a circuit through a solenoid 65 for throwing out the clutch 18 and stopping the press12 as disclosed in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Inthe arrangement of themechanism shown in Fig. '2 where the gagingdevice '30 is disposed inspacedrela-tion' to the punch press 12 the solenoid 65 for-actuating the clutch 18 may be omit-ted and -use-of the -audible signal 64 and the visual signal lights 62 and 63-may be-relied upon for indicating-the condition of the strip Ei-t) and .when the born 64 is actuated to indicatethe: passage of-a portion of the strip 10 in excess of the specified requirements, the operator has suflicient time to manually stop the press 12 and the strip feed at the stock cradle 21 and the cut oil and removal of the portion of the strip which is either too wide or too narrow.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements' are simply illustrative ofthe application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall Within the spirit and .scopezthereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for gaging a flat strip'and indicating exces sive variations in the width and camber thereof comprising a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movement in a direction transversely of said strip, a first gaging member fixedly supportedonsaid movable supporting means and .engageable with voneedge of .said strip, .a movable gaging member mounted on said movable supporting means for movement toward theother gaging member and :engageable with the-,otheredge. of .said strip, said gaging membersrbeing relatively Wide for engaging the edges of the strip at spaced points, resilient means .for stressing said movable gage.member-.toward .the other gaging member, signal means, and;means.for operating saidsignal .in response to movement of the movablegage to a predeterminedposition by a portionof the striphaving :a widthand camber, differentfrom predetermined limits of width and camber for said strip.

2. .Adevice forindicatingexcessive variations in the width-andcamber of .a'flat strip comprising a support, a movable supporting means mounted on said support for movement in a direction transversely of said strip, a first gaging member fixedly supported on said movable supporting means and .engageable .with one edge of said strip, amovable gaging member mounted on said movable supporting means for movement toward said first gaging member and engageable with the other edge of said strip, oneof said gaging members having a .pair of spaced gaging elements .for engaging the strip at longitudinally spaced portions thereof, resilient means urging said movable gage member toward saidifirst gaging member, signal means, means for operating .said signal means in response to movement of the movable gaging member toa predeterminedposition by a portion of the strip having a width or camber difierent from predetermined limits of width :and camberfor said strip.

3. A device for. gaging a flat strip and indicating excessive variations in the width thereof comprising -a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting :means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movementin a direction transversely of said strip, a first gaging member fixedly supported on said movable supporting means and engageable with one edge of-said strip, a movable gaging member mounted on said movable supporting means for movement toward said first gaging member and engageable with the other edge of said strip, resilient means for stressing said movable gage member toward the -other gaging member, signal means, means for operating said signal means including a pair of switches-mounted on said movable supporting means, and a pair of actuating elements adjustably carried bysaid movable gage member and settable to actuate one of said switches in--response to 'movement of the movable gage to a' 'predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width greater than a predetermined maximum and to' actuate the other switch in response to movement of the movable gage member to a second predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a widthjless than a predetermined minimum. v

4. A device for gaging fiat strip and indicating-excessive variations in thewidth and camber --thereof-'compris"ing supporting means, afirst gaging member-fixedly mounted on said supporting means ;andengageable :with one: edge of said strip, a movable gaging member mounted on said supporting means for movement toward said first gaging member and engagea'ole with the other edge of said strip, said gaging members being relatively wide for engaging the edges of the strip at points in spaced relation to each other, resilient means for stressing said movable gage member toward said first gaging member, signal means, means for operating said signal means including a pair of switches mounted on said movable supporting means, and a pair of actuating elements adjustably carried by said movable gaging member and settable to actuate one of said switches in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber greater than a predetermined maximum and to actuate the other switch in response to movement of the moveable gaging member to a second predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber less that a predetermined minimum.

5. A device for gaging a fiat advancing strip and indicating excessive variations in the width and camber thereof comprising a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movement in a direction transversely of the movement of said strip, a first gaging member fixedly supported on said movable supporting means and engageable with one edge of said strip, a movable gaging member mounted on said movable supporting means for movement toward said first gaging member and engageable with the other edge of said strip, resilient means for stressing said movable gaging member toward said stationary gaging member, signal means, means for operating said signal means including a pair of switches mounted on said movable supporting means, and a pair of actuating elements adiustably carried by said movable gage member and settable to actuate one of said switches in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width or camber greater than a predetermined maximum and to actuate the other switch in response to movement of the movable gage member to a second predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber less than a predetermined minimum.

6. In an apparatus for fabricating parts from strip material and having a device for disconnecting the drive thereto, the combination therewith of a support, a first gage member fixed to said support and engageable with one edge of said strip, a second gaging member movably mounted on said support for engagement with the other edge of said strip, said gaging members being relatively wide and engageable with the edges of the strip at spaced points, resilient means for stressing said movable gage member toward said stationary gage member for pressing said movable gage member into engagement with the strip and for moving the strip into engagement with said stationary gaging member, and means for actuating said device to disconnect the drive to the apparatus in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of said strip having a width and camber different from predetermined limits of width and camber for said strip.

7. In an apparatus for fabricating parts from strip material and having a clutch for disconnecting the drive thereto, the combination therewith of a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movement transversely of said strip, a first gage member fixed to said movable supporting means and engageable with one edge of said strip, a second gaging member movably mounted on said movable supporting means for engagement with the other edge of said strip, resilient means for stressing said movable gage member toward said first gage member for pressing said movable gage member into engagement with the strip and for moving the strip into engagement with said first gaging member, means for actuating the clutch to disconnect the drive, control means for actuating said clutch disconnecting means including a pair of switches mounted on said movable supporting means, and a pair of actuating trip elements carried by the movable gage member and settable to actuate one of said switches in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of said strip having a width and camber greater than a predetermined maximum and to actuate the other switch in response to movement or the movable gage member to a predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber less than a predetermined minimum.

8. In an apparatus for fabricating parts from strip material and having a device for disconnecting the drive thereto, the combination therewith of a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movement transversely of the direction of movement of said strip, a first gage member fixed to said movable supporting means and engageable with one edge of said strip, a second gaging member movably mounted on said movable supporting means for engagement with the other edge of said strip, one of said gaging members having a pair of spaced gaging elements for engaging the strip at longitudinally spaced portions thereof, resilient means for stressing said movable gaging member toward the other gaging member for urging said gaging members into engagement with opposite edges of the strip, and means for actuating said device to disconnect the drive to the apparatus in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of said strip having a width or camber different from predetermined limits of width for said strip.

9. In an apparatus for fabricating parts from strip material and having a device for disconnecting the drive thereto, the combination therewith of a fixed supporting means, a movable supporting means mounted on said fixed supporting means for movement transversely of said strip, a first gaging member fixed to said movable supporting means and engageable with one edge of said strip, a second gaging member movably mounted on said movable supporting means for engagement with the other edge of said strip, said gaging members being relatively wide for engaging the edges of the strip at spaced points, resilient means for stressing said movable gage member toward the other gaging member, and means for actuating said device to disconnect the drive to the apparatus in response to movement of the movable gage to a predetermined position by a portion of said strip having a width and camber greater than a predetermined maximum and in response to movement of the movable gage member to a second predetermined position by a portion of the strip having a width and camber less than a predetermined minimum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 799,457 Cross Sept. 12, 1906 2,522,877 Ladrach Sept. 19, 1950 2,533,606 Natzke Dec. 12, 1950 2,600,273 Seifried June 10, 1952 2,679,307 Koch May 25, 1954 2,737,386 Reher Mar. 6, 1956 

